THE GIFT OF LEARNING (37): LAST WORDS ON LEARNING

"It doesn't matter which side of the fence you get off on sometimes. What matters most is getting off. You cannot make progress without making decisions." - Jim Rohn

For the past month or more we've been looking at the topic "The Gift of Learning". We have encouraged ourselves to become "unrepentant learners”. But let me close this series on learning with a note of warning, learning is unarguably a must but we must consciously streamline our learning to match our destiny or purpose in life. The Roman philosopher Seneca once said, “If a man knows not what harbour he seeks, every wind is the right wind.”

It always comes down to this question: Where are you going? Where exactly are you heading in life? Because that determines the knowledge you need to get there. Our life direction can slowly change course according to the information we carry with us. For example, do you want to be a professional writer? Then this isn't the time for 10 books on cryogenics to be on your reading list. Or maybe you want to be an estate surveyor—but you are only subscribed to Sports Illustrated.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the first African Secretary General of the United Nations, has more than a passing interest in politics. His grandfather, Boutros Ghali, the only Christian prime minister of Egypt, was shot by an assassin in 1910. Cairo crowds hailed his Moslem killer, but the family did not intend anyone to forget the grandfather. They adopted his given name, Boutros (Peter), and anointed the new grandchild with the same given name. The family then built a church in Cairo to honour the martyred patriarch. "On his tomb were the words 'God is witness that I served my country to the best of my ability" says, Boutros-Ghali. "For a boy to grow up with such things creates an impact. I felt I would betray the tradition of our family if I didn't play a political role, I knew my destination even from a very tender age."

Therefore, knowing our life’s purpose helps us focus our learning. Take some time to think through this, and then write it down in a line or a paragraph. For example, “I am a writer who speaks and a speaker who also writes.” Challenge yourself to write out your life’s purpose in just a few sentences. Consider who you are, how God has gifted you, where He is calling you and how you want to be remembered. Make your learning go deep, not wide. Avoid information overload.